[SML] Looking for more economical bulbs or LED retrofit for Studio Color 575

[joe at dunfee.com]

A local theater was able to acquire a number of Studio Color 575's.  The 
lighting guy says these have proven to be very reliable units over his 
career.  So, it may be worth keeping them going.  The bulb choices are 
the MSR 575/2 [1000 hrs] or the longer-life MDS 575 [3000 hrs].  With 
prices of $126 and $196 respectively, they are not cheap items to keep 
around.  And of course, it is preferable to have a bulb that is less 
likely to go out during a show.

The prices I quoted above are from Bulbtronics.  I see the same lamps 
available on Alibaba for about 1/5 those prices. Though, my experience 
with Chinese suppliers teaches me not to have much trust.  It is one 
thing if I am taking a risk for a few dollars.  But, when it goes into 
the hundreds, I am a lot more careful.

Can anyone recommend a reliable source for the standard bulbs, with 
lower prices than what I quoted from Bulbtronics.

Or perhaps alternatively, is there such a thing as a LED retrofit for 
this venerable moving-head light.


-Joe